Traction vehicle



NOW 112, 1940. Q s, COOK 2,220,890

TRACTION VEHICLE Filed Aug. 18, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet l 'a' .Je 2 o' 52 'l l /5 if? 25 26 55 34 j 34 Vr 6 26 j 29 l 3p 55 M r 75 f2 @www TORNEY NOV. 12, 1940. C. 5, COOK 2,220,890

TRACTION VEHI CL'E Filed Aug. 18, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 jfs /727 Nov. 12, 1940. c. s, cooK TRACTION VEHICLE Filed Aug. 18, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN Mg/fwd ,ATTORNEY Psieuieanev. 12, i940 d 2,220,890

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TBAC'ilgsvslmCLE App'h sclsims. y,(01. lso- 9.1)

This invention relates to improvements intracwith the body removed to reveal details of the tion vehicles. An object of my invention is to chassis and controls, provide a traction vehicle adapted to be used as a Fig. 6 is an underplan view of the vehicle. tank formilitary purposes, and as a heavy-duty Fig. 7 is an end elevational view thereof,

-tractor for civil purposes. Fig. 8 is a side elevational, partly sectional view 6 A further object of my invention is to provide a thereof taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7, in the direcvehicle of the character described which is protion of the arrows, with the body omitted, vided with self contained motor traction units for Fig. 9 is a similarl view lshowing the vehicle actuating the vehicle, said units being independsupported on the median traction unit,

1n ently secured to the vehicle chassis, in an ar- Fig. 10 is a side elevational view, partly in secl0 rangement providing. inherentstability and a tion, of a traction unit embodying my invention, low center of gravity. Fig. 11 is a similar view of the other side of A further object of my invention is to provide "the unit, the vehicle with one or more median traction 12 is a vertical transverse sectional view of if units secured te the underside ofthe chassis, thetendiess bea cf my vehicle, teken cn unen; s

adapted to be actuated independently of or in co- |2-I2 of Fig. 11, operation with the other motor traction units. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the vehicle of A further object of my invention is to provide my invention, the vehicle with means for selectively holding the Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a traction unit median traction unit in raised, inoperative posiembodying my invention, 20

tion at the underside of the chassis, `or to lower Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a guide member the unit to the level of the other units for tractive forming part of the traction unit, cooperation therewith, or to lower the unit below Fi'g. 16 is a diagrammatic, side elevational view the level of the other` units to constitute the sole of the traction vehicle of my invention, on level tractive means for the vehicle. ground at A, and traversing obstacles at B, 25

' A further object of my invention is to provide Fig. 17 is a similar view oi the machine trava vehicle of this character so constructed as to ersing the obstacle shown, enable it to have a chassis of far greater length Fig. 18 is a similar view showing the position and carrying capacity than has been practical of the vehicle in its continued movement over the 3,', heretofore, and which will accommodate, itselfI to obstacle, 30

t-he topography of the terrain traversed, climb Fig, 19 is a, similar view showing the position of ing obstacles without danger of becoming wedged .the vehicle in traversing irregular terrain and, thereon, and which will not bog down on-soft Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic end elevational view ground. showing the machine with the median traction A further object of my invntiOIl iS t0 Provide unit lowered to the level of the corner traction 35 the vehicle with features of inherent strength and units. rigidty- The traction vehicle of my invention comprises A further Object of my inventOn iS t0 provide a a chassis I provided with sturdy trunnions 6 at Vehicle which need 1.1015 be abandOned upon the the corners thereof; c'orner traction units 2, 3, disablement of one or more of its outer motor 4 and 5 are secured to the trunnions B'for free o traction units but may be driven to safety on the rocking movement thereon and are normally held in a plane parallel to that of the chassis by springs median unit.

Inthe accompanying drawings; 1 secured at opposite ends of the units and to Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a traction thrhalsisg@grellhsimea ted e c 1 1s d vehwle embo my invention to be lowered and raised relatively to the chassis Fig. 2 is a similar vview showing the vehicle and to be normally held in abutment with the suPpod onih lediatr'coilt the latter underside thereof by means hereinafter described. bemg, soiwn Il s om? 0S] post duim t. l The casing lii is provided with median traction Figs a ragmen y mgl l 'sec ma units 9 9' se that when the casing abuis the 50 v 5 View taken 0n line 3-3 0f Fig- 6 underside ef the chessis l es in Figs. 1, s, 17, the

Fig. 4 is e. fragmentary transverse sectional traction units 9, s' enable the vehic1e to clear view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. l in the direction obstacles on which if, might, otherwise become ofthe arrows, wedged; when the casing. 8 is lowered only to Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the traction vehicle, the level of the corner units 2, 3, I, 5 as in Fig. u

20, the median traction units 9, 9' cooperate with the corner units; when the casing 6 is lowered to the position shown in Fig. 2, the median traction units 9, 9 provide the sole traction means for the vehicle.

It will be noted from Figs. 16, 17, 18 and 19 that the vehicle of my invention accommodates itself to the obstacles and topography of the terrain traversed. While the corner traction units 2, 3, 4, 5 pivot into planes parallel with those of the surfaces encountered, the chassis I remains on a relatively horizontal plane. My invention makes it practical tc provide the vehicle with a chassis of far greater length and carrying capacity than has heretofore been practical; the vehicle is low and squat and is adapted to easily execute the most intricate maneuvers.

As shown in Fig. 14, the corner traction unit 2 comprises the frame I0 having belt guide members I I journalled in members I2, the latter being vertically slidable in guideways I3, and normally held in the lower ends of said guideways by springs I4. The belt guide members II are pro vided with a plurality of rollers 25 journalled therein in any desired or convenient manner. A pulley I5 is journalled in an upper end of the frame I8. A pulley I6 is journalled in members I1 which are slidable in guideways I8 and are normally held in the outer ends of said guideways by springs I9 or the like.A The frame Ill is further provided with a pair of rollers 28 preferably journalled in lugs 2l of the frame I8; an endless belt 22 passes over the pulleys I5 and I6 and rollers 28 and 25. The belt 22 is preferably of rubber, as shown cross sectionally in Fig. 12, molded over one or more continuous steel chains 23 for reenforcement, with an endless band of steel 24 secured to the lower surface of the belt and preferably molded integral therewith, extending beyond the side edges of the belt.

The belt 22 is held taut on the frame by means of pulley I6; the tension of spring -I9 is adjustable by means of the screw 23 passing through the guideway I8 and bearing against the spring I9 or by any other suitable means. The pulleys I5 and I6 are preferably roughly faced for positive engagement with the belt 22.

The pulleys I5 and I6, which drive the belt 22, are preferably actuated by a motor 26 mounted in the frame I0. The motor 26 may be of any desired or convenient type; in the drawings, the motor 26 is shown as an air motor having an intake manifold 32 which is provided with compressed air through the longitudinal duct 21 (see Fig. 4) which communicates with opening 28 in the trunnion 6, the latter communicating with duct 29 in chassis I, which in turn communicates with the air line 30 of compressor 3I.

Either or both of the pulleys I5, I6 are geared to the motor 26 by any desired or convenient train of gearing. Preferably, as shown in the drawing, the shaft 33 of motor 26 is provided with a gear 34 meshing with gear 35 keyed to shafts 39, 31. Shaft 36 has keyed to the outer end thereof a gear 38 in mesh with gear 39 keyed to the shaft of pulley I5. Shaft 31 has keyed to the outer end thereof a gear 40 in mesh withI gear 4i keyed to the shaft of pulley I6. Gear 40 is preferably an elongated, continuous gear which constantly meshes with gear 4I notwithstanding movement of pulley I6 (and itsgear 4I) in a horizontal plane. The structure described in connection with traction unit 2 applies equally4 to units 3, 4 and 5; corresponding parts are correspondingly numbered.

Ducts 42, 43 and 44 of chassis I communicate with openings in the trunnions of units 3, 4 and 5 respectively, corresponding to the opening 28 of the trunnion 6 of unit 2, said ducts communicating with air lines 45, 46 and 41, respectively, of compressor 3|.

The traction unit 9 of casing 8 is positioned in the open frame of the casing and is provided with pulleys 5I and 5I journalled in opposite ends of frame 86, the endless belt 52 passing over said pulleys.

A motor 53 is carried by the frame 86; the shaft 51 (see Fig. 6) of said motor is provided with a gear 58 in mesh with the gears 59', 60' of shafts 59, 60, Whose outer ends are provided with gears 6I', 62 meshing with gears 6I, 62 keyed to the shafts of pulleys 5I, 5I', respectively, thus driving the belt 52. A plurality of idler rollers 63 (see Fig. 3) are journalled in the frame 88, the belt 52 passing over said rollers. The traction unit- 9 may be made of substantially the width of the casing 8 or, as shown in the drawings, it may be of substantially less width but operating in conjunction with an additional unit 9'; the description of unit 9 applies to the correspondingly numbered parts in unit 9'.

The 'motors 53 of units 9, 9' are carried by the frame 80 and are provided with compressed air through manifolds 54 provided with pipes 54 having sealed, vertical sliding connection of any conventional or convenient style with the chambers 55, 65, respectively, which communicate with the air lines 56, 66, respectively, of compressor 3I.

The casing 8 is adapted to be lowered or raised relatively to the chassis and to be normally held in abutment with the underside of the chassis by any suitable means. As shown in the drawings, this end may be attained by providing the casing with a plurality of vertical guide plates 69 (see o Fig. 9) passing through openings 10 in the chassis I, the plates 69 having elongated apertures 1I through which the studs 12 of chassis I pass to maintain the vertical alignment of the casing 8 in its movement relatively to the chassis. The casing 8 is lowered and raised relatively to the chassis I by any suitable means, as by hydraulic jacks 13 carried by and operable from the chassis I, the lower ends of the pistons 14 of said jacks being secured to the casing 8. 'I'he jacks 13 are preferably controlled through a valve of any desired or convenient type-for example, as shown in Fig. 5, the valve 15 supplied with compressed air by the air line 16 of compressor 3|, valve 15 communicating with each jack 13..

The casing 8 is preferably provided at each end thereof with a curved guard plate 11 of substantially the width of the casing and pivotally secured thereto (see Eig. 3), the free edges 18 of said plates being held by springs 19 in abutment with the curved edges 8| of chassis I. By this arrangement, the guard plates 11 engage the edges 8I of chassis I at all times, nothwithstanding the vertical movement of the casing 8 relatively to the chassis as occasion requires. The guard plates 11 prevent the wedging of objects in the casing 8, deecting the objects downward so that the vehicle may safely pass thereover.

The units 2 and 3 are preferably operated in synchronism by means of a calibrated valve 48, and the units 4 and 5 are preferably operated in synchronism by means of calibrated valve 49. Calibratedf'valves 61, 68 are interposed in the air lines 56, 66, respectively, for controlling the supply of compressed air to the motors of median units 9, 9'.

In the embodimentl of my invention shown in the drawings, which is one of a number of forms the invention may take. the compressor 3I is provided with a motor 83 of any desired or convenient type, mounted on the chassis I, and with an air line 56 having a king valve or throttle 82. The valves", 68 of median units 9, 9', respectively, and valvesv48, 49 of corner units 2 3, 4 5, are connected With the king valve 82 by air lines as shown in. Fig. 5, so that, by opening all valves and then regulating the king valve or throttle 82, all units may be operated at synchronous speed. When the casing 8 is in its raised position, abutting the underside of chassis I, and umts 9, 9', 2 3, 4 5 are operated at synchronous speed, the vehicle will climb obstacles as in Figs. 16, 17, 18, 19, the units 9, 9' engaging the peaks of the obstacles and moving the vehicle thereover.

'I'he valves 48, 49 enable the operation of the units 2 3, 4 5 at different synchronous speeds for the purpose of turning the vehicle or for maneuvers.

The valves 61, 68 of median units 9, 9 enable each of said units to be synchronized with the speed of adjacent units 2 3, 4 5, so that units 9', 2 3 may be operating at a given synchronous speed while units 9, 4 5 are operating at a different synchronous speed, to turn the vehicle and for maneuvers.

Valves 61 and 68 further enable the vehicle to be turned on units 9, 9 when the casing is in its lowermost position, shown in Fig. 2.

The vehicle is preferably provided with means A for reversing the traction unit motors to provide' maximum flexibility of operation and facility of maneuver. y This end may be attained by utilizing any satisfactory or conventional means suited for reversing the particular motors u'sed. In the use of air motors, as in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, any conventional lisis lever or other means for reversing air motors may be used, said-means being incorporated in the structure of valves 48, 49, 61 and 68 and-oper-v able in conjunction therewith, or provided on the chassis I and operable apart from the valves.

When the casing 9 is lowered to bring units 9, 9 to the level of units 2 3, 4 5, as shown in Fig. 20, the vehicle will present 'a large area of endless belts, so that it will not bog down in soft ground and will provide adequate foundation to take up the recoil and weight of heavy guns which may be red from or carried by the vehicle.

The body 83 of the vehicle may be of any desired or convenient configuration and structure, mounted on chassisI by any suitable means, and having one or more turrets 84. As shown in the drawings, the vehicle is preferably of the same construction at both ends, and is therefore reversible.

The units 2 3, 4 5 being secured to the chassis,I at the corners thereof; have been called corner traction units, while the units 9, 9', secured to the chassis I intermediate the length thereof, have been termed median traction units.

The vehicle of my invention may be manually operated or may be provided with remote control Aresponsive apparatus connected to the various controls, for operation by remote control.

The corner traction units will be preferably mentmay be altered as expediency and circumstances dictate, within the purview of my' invention.

The chassis I plosives and the vehicle operated by remote conwould act as a land torpedo.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A traction vehicle comprising a chassis, endless corner traction units secured thereto, a median endless traction unit secured to said may be loaded with high extrol to direct it to the desired objective, where its explosives will be set off by Aremote control or by striking the'objective-the vehicle, in such case,

chassis, independent motor means contained tary plate and stud aligning means carried by said chassis and traction unit.

3. A traction vehicle comprising a. chassis, trunions secured to said chassis at the corners thereof, endless traction units secured to said trunions and rockable thereon, a median endless traction unit secured centrally to the underside of said chassis, and means secured to said chassis and last-mentioned traction unit to elevate and lower said unit relatively to said chassis.

4. A traction vehicle comprising a chassis, endless traction units secured to the cornersthereof, a. vertically movable median endless traction unit arranged on the underside of the chassis, and means for selectively moving said median unit to a position in which .its ground engaging surface will be substantially below the plane of the corresponding surfaces of the corner traction units so. that the vehicle may be supported by the median unit, and to a position in which its ground engaging surface will be substantially 'above the plane of the corresponding surfaces of the corner traction units s o that the vehicle may be supported by the corner traction units.

5. A traction vvehicle comprising a chassis. endless traction units secured to. the corners thereof, a vertically movable median endless traction unit arranged on the underside of the chassis, and means for selectively m'oving said median unit to a position in which its ground engaging surface Will'be in substantially the plane of the corner traction units for cooperation therewith and to a position in which its ground engaging surface will be substantially above the plane of the corresponding surfaces of the corner traction units so that the vehicle may be supported by the'corner traction units. y l

6. A traction vehicle comprising a chassis, endless traction units secured to the corners thereof, a vertically movable median endless traction unit arranged on the underside of the chassis, and meansfor selectively moving said median unit face will be in substantially the plane of the corner traction units for cooperation therewlthfand to a'position in which its ground engaging surto a position in which its ground engaging surl face 'will be substantially above the plane of the corresponding surfaces of the corner traction units so that the vehicle may be supported by the corner traction units, and to a position in which its ground engaging surface will be substantially below the plane of the corresponding surfaces of the corner traction units so that the vehicle may be supported by the median unit.

7. A traction vehicle comprising a chassis, a vertically movable endless traction unit arranged on the underside thereof, a deflector plate secured to the front of said unit, and means for holding the deector plate in constant abutting engagement with the chassis.

8. A traction vehicle comprising a chassis, a pair of traction units secured thereto, means secured to said chassis and traction units to elevate and lower said units in direct vertical alignment relatively to the chassis, complementary directly Vertical aligning meansy carried by said chassis and traction units and means carried by said chassis and operatively connected with said units to regulate the speed and direction oi? rotation of said units for maneuvering purposes.

9. A traction vehicle comprising a chassis, trunnions secured to said chassis at the corners thereof, endless traction units secured to said trunnions and rockable thereon, a pair of median endless traction units secured centrally to the underside of said chassis, means secured to said chassis and last mentioned traction units to elevate and lower said units relatively to said chassis, and means carried by said chassis and operatively connected with said units to regulate the speed and direction of rotation of said units for maneuvering purposes.

CHARLES S. COOK. 

